Donna Mae (Kayser) Pederson was born September 10, 1936, in rural Emery, South Dakota, the third of ten children, to parents, Joe and Mabel (Kewley) Kayser. She died September 21, 2021, at the Hawarden hospital at the age of 85 years.

Donna was raised on the family farm near Emery where she preferred helping her dad outside instead of being at her mom's side with her older sisters. She attended Catholic elementary school and graduated from Emery High School before enrolling at the South Dakota Beauty Academy in Sioux Falls. While living in Sioux Falls, she met William (Bud) Pederson, a SDSU student from Garretson, SD. They were united in marriage at St. Martin Catholic Church in Emery on May 21, 1959. Within a few months the couple moved to Atlanta, GA where Bud was stationed in the service. They raised their family in Rapid City where they lived for 15 years before moving to Alcester when Bud purchased Larson Drug. Donna worked in Physical therapy at the nursing home and managed the drug store until it was sold in 2000.

She will be remembered as a hard worker; always gardening, canning and cleaning. Donna worked as hard at her church as she did at home in WELCA and as a custodian. Donna volunteered her time and talents with the Alcester Thrift Store and the local Food Pantry. She and Bud enjoyed playing golf with friends at area courses and traveling to visit family.

Grateful for having shared her life is her husband of 62 years, Bud Pederson; four children, Rochelle (Alvin) Eiseman of Pahrump, NV, Jeff (Marilee) Pederson of Sioux Falls, Roxanne (Roxie) Pederson of Dell Rapids and Renee (Paul) Munsen of White Lake; 11 grandchildren, Ashley Burgoyne, Amanda Fenner, Andrea Eiseman, Alyssa Pederson, Dustin Pederson, Sonja Hanson, Sutton Adams, Cheyenne Adams, Keah Munsen, Chloe Munsen and Kirstie Munsen; five great- grandchildren; sister, Janie (Loren) Golder of Bridgewater; brothers, Bob (Linda) Kayser of Ankeny, IA and Greg (Beth) Kayser of Emery. Her parents and siblings, Beverly, Marilyn, Eleanor, Carol, Jim and Sandy preceded her in death.

Memorial services for Donna will be held 10AM Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at Nathanael Lutheran Church in Alcester. Visitation will be 5-7PM Tuesday, September 28th at Wass Funeral Chapel in Alcester.